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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Report

Village of Croton-on-Hudson E-Notice

Croton publishes greenhouse gas emissions report.

Village sizes up energy costs, consumption and emissions impact of government operations.

[Croton-on-Hudson, December 15, 2009] Croton-on-Hudson joined ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability in late 2008 to be able to draw upon technical
assistance, training, and software tools in compiling the inventory of the Village’s energy, consumption patterns and the resulting volume of greenhouse gas emissions directly attributable to government operations. Such a baseline inventory forms the facts on which a reduction target is determined and a realistic and responsible climate action plan can be formulated.

This baseline inventory report is now being released in preliminary draft for the public: In calendar 2007, the Village spent just over $532,000 on energy, bought almost 17.8 billion Btus of energy of all kinds, which caused over 1,770 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. The mayor will present these findings to the public at the Village Board meeting on December 21, 2009 at 8 pm.

Why did the Village undertake this study? To determine how and at what expense Village could reduce or eliminate any climate impacts resulting from its own governmental operations. What were the major findings? Building operations, vehicle transportation, and drinking water delivery produce the greatest emission impacts. Electricity use is the largest contributor to overall greenhouse gases indirectly through emissions at power plants that serve the Village’s needs. Gas & diesel burned in Village vehicles is the single largest local air pollution source among government operations. At $149,000 in electricity bills for calendar 2007, the Village’s water delivery system is the single most expensive village activity in terms of energy costs.

What do these findings mean? The Village will find ways to reduce its direct and indirect emissions by (1) seeking more efficient use of energy, (2) generating or purchasing more renewable energy, and (3) switching to cleaner fuels, as well as many other means. The next steps for the Village include developing emission reduction targets and a climate action plan for 2010 that sets those reductions in motion. Specifically, the Village’s Sustainability Team, chaired by Susan Lunden, is already at work on these next steps: (1) Analyze the energy, cost and emission reduction options (efficiency measures, renewables sources, fuel switching, etc); (2) Determine the lowest cost way to achieve them; (3) Demonstrate the Village’s commitment to a climate action plan, while
safeguarding taxpayers; (4) Invite home & business owners to participate in a larger community-wide greenhouse gas inventory to assess the emission impact of private sector buildings and operations.

"The Village relied on its own staff and volunteers in compiling the data for the analysis and in writing the report itself. The Village focused solely on the governmental sector as it had good, reliable data for its own operations that would help produce detailed findings. As a result, we expect the forthcoming recommendations to both save energy and money by next year." noted Leo Wiegman, mayor.